In a sense, listening is easy – or hearing is easy. It doesn’t demand the initiative and energy required in speaking. But despite this ease, or perhaps precisely because of it, we often struggle against it. In our sin, we’d rather trust in ourselves than another, accumulate our own righteousness than receive another’s, speak our thoughts rather than listen to someone else.

In chapter 15 of The Story, we see that Israel has forgotten what it means to listen. They have become complacent, disobedient, and rebellious. They no longer show the love of God to the surrounding nations. But God is still speaking today. Will we listen, or will we ignore his message like the Israelites did?